The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The first time combination of Justin Roberts and Baker Newman lacked the chemistry and it showed in the final outcome of their doubles match at the 2019 Pan American Games.

The Bahamian duo went down 6-2, 6-2 to a much more experienced tandem of Guido Andreozzi and Facundo Bagnis of Argentina in a match that lasted 56 minutes yesterday.

It was Baker's second match for the day against Andreozzi. In his second round singles earlier in the day, Newman was eliminated by Andreozzi 6-0, 6-1 in one hour on the court.

Team manager Derron Donaldson said the Bahamian players played well, especially in the doubles. But because they lacked the chemistry playing together, it showed in the final outcome. "The guys are playing some good tennis," Donaldson said.

"In the doubles, they lacked the chemistry. This is the first time that they played together. But overall, the guys played great. Their opponents just had more matches under their belts.

"They are also ranked in the top 100. Our guys played with them, but it was just that they didn't have sufficient matches together to get the job done. They had some break chances, so they are definitely there."

Donaldson, the past president of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association and the secretary general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, said he recommended to both Newman and Roberts after the match that they get to play more tournaments together so they can develop their chemistry.

"Our guys need chemistry. That is what we have to work on when we get back," he stated.

While the team has made their exit in the tournament, Newman is also eliminated from singles after he dropped his two-setter against Andreozzi. He breezed through his first match on Monday against Lluis Miralles from El Salvador in identical scores of 6-2 and 6-2 in one hour and 17 minutes.

Today, Roberts will try to stay alive in his second round singles. It won't be easy as he faces the No.8 seed Jose Hernandez from the Dominican Republic. Hernandez, 29, got a bye in the first round.

Roberts, 22, pulled off a a hard-fought 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 marathon victory in two hours and 35 minutes over Sergio Galdos of Peru on Monday.